Page 1216 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1208 PART 15 CAT WITH EYE PROBLEMS

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing ocular discharge or changed conjunctival appearance
WHERE?
CONJUNCTIVA
NEOPLASTIC

● Squamous cell carcinoma*** (p 1217)
Occurs in cats with non-pigmented eyelids. The conjunctival neoplasia is seen as an extension of
the eyelid lesion, which will appear red and ulcerated.
● Conjunctival hemangiosarcoma/hemangioma (p 1225)
Rare in cats. Seen occasionally as a red raised lesion at the lateral limbal conjunctiva and on the
leading edge of the third eyelid conjunctiva.
● Conjunctival lymphosarcoma (p 1224)
A rare condition seen as focal or diffuse swelling of the conjunctiva. Usually occurs as an exten-
sion of orbital lymphosarcoma, and secondary to systemic lymphosarcoma.
INFLAMMATION/INFECTIOUS
Viral:

● Herpes virus conjunctivitis*** (p 1212)
Acute conjunctivitis with hyperemia, chemosis and initially a serous discharge. Rapid progression to a
mucopurulent discharge, which is usually bilateral. In young cats, respiratory signs, including parox-
ysms of sneezing occur. Severe cases form symblepharon (conjunctival adhesions), which can occlude
tear duct puncta producing chronic epiphora. Chronic serous ocular discharge can occur in older cats.
Bacterial:
● Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) keratoconjunctivitis*** (p 1215)
In acute cases in young cats, there is conjunctival chemosis (edema) and intense hyperemia, with a
serous to mucopurulent discharge. Often begins unilaterally and progresses to bilateral.
Respiratory signs such as sneezing tend to be mild or absent. Chronic cases develop follicular con-
junctivitis accompanied by a serous discharge.
Protozoal:
● Mycoplasma conjunctivitis** (p 1218)
A mild conjunctivitis with serous discharge, unilateral or bilateral. A serous nasal discharge may
be present.
INFLAMMATION/NON-INFECTIOUS

● Chemosis and/or hyperemia secondary to orbital disease (p 1211)
The globe will show exophthalmos (bulging forward) and the conjunctiva will be swollen with a
mucopurulent discharge. The third eyelid may be prominent and inflamed. The cat may have den-
tal disease or sneezing with nasal discharge.
Immune-mediated:

● Eosinophilic keratoconjunctivitis* (p 1221)
Proliferative white/pink plaques appear on the conjunctiva and/or cornea. The conjunctiva is
inflamed with a mucopurulent discharge. The cornea may be intensely vascularized.